The good thing about living on North Roosevelt Avenue in East Falls Church, Virginia, was that one was within walking distance of the East Falls Church Metro Station. Part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the station is one of many along the Orange Line, which runs an East-West route from the Vienna/Fairfax area of Virginia in the west to New Carrollton, Maryland, in the east. At this time of day it would be nearly impossible to find a parking spot just outside the station due to the early morning rush of commuters. But since Jake and Stephanie lived less than half a mile from the station, they preferred to walk. While Jake could wear tennis shoes due the casual nature of his employment, Stephanie usually wore heels. For the commute to and from work, Stephanie wore comfortable walking shoes and kept her dress shoes in her tote. The walk to the station took ten minutes. After scanning their Metro cards they rode the escalator up to the platform to await the next train.
"How's the money on your card?" Jake asked his wife.
"Fine," Stephanie said. "Still got twenty dollars left."
The train arrived a few minutes later. Jake and Stephanie waited in line near the front of the train. The train came to a stop and the doors slid open. A few passengers exited, but most people were boarding, headed for the nation's capital city. Jake and Stephanie boarded; the train was already getting crowded. They stood in the middle of the car, taking hold of a metal pole.
"Step back, doors closing," the computerized female voice said.
The doors slid shut, and the train began to move. The ride took fifteen minutes.
"Foggy Bottom, George Washington University. Doors will open on the left side," the driver announced.
The train slowed and came to a stop in the underground station.
"Step back, doors opening," the female voice said again.
"This is my stop," Jake said.
He kissed Stephanie on the cheek.
"I have faculty meetings all day, but I could probably sneak away for lunch. Wanna meet somewhere?"
"Sure," Stephanie said. "Text me, and we'll figure something out. I love you."
"I love you, too, Steph," Jake smiled as he exited the train.
Jake rode the escalator up to ground level and made his way towards his office at George Washington University. Jake was a professor in the history and political science department. Normally he would have four classes, but as it was now summer, classes were finished. Now he had several faculty meetings to attend, both departmental and university-wide. Today's meetings were department meetings to discuss budgets, classes to offer for the upcoming year, and various departmental scholarship programs. Jake loathed these meetings - his passion was teaching - but as he was now full-time faculty, he was required to attend. It was the price he paid for being an educator.
Stephanie had to go one additional stop. The train slowed as it pulled into the Farragut West Station. Stephanie stood as the train came to a halt. The doors on the right-hand side opened, and Stephanie exited. She rode the escalator to ground level, coming out at the corner of I and 18th Streets. She made a left and walked down to K Street; she crossed K Street, then 18th Street. She entered the white stone office building and took the elevator to the third floor. She scanned the ID card on her lanyard, and the double doors unlocked to allow her entry. This was the Washington, DC, branch of UNICEF. Stephanie was the Assistant Director of Education for Eastern and South Africa. Her job was to oversee and assist in the development and support of schools and educational programs throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. The job also involved playing politics, something she hated. In order to get the United States government to support legislation to assist in UNICEF's efforts, she also had to call congressmen and senators and lobby for support. And in the current political climate, it was not an easy task.
"Good morning, Stephanie!" the perky receptionist said.
"Morning, Rachel," Stephanie said.
Stephanie walked down the hall and entered her office. She powered on her computer. The blue and white UNICEF logo appeared. Stephanie logged into her computer and checked her emails, then looked at her schedule. Fortunately there was no lobbying to be done today, which she was grateful for. She picked up a folder on her desk; it was the new budget proposals for two new elementary schools in Mozambique. She took a sip of coffee and began to look over the numbers.
Jake had been in his department meeting for nearly two hours. They had been discussing the budget for the upcoming year. Jake was close to dozing off when their department chair decided it was time for a break. Jake exited the conference room and pulled out his cell phone. He texted Stephanie.
"These meetings are ridiculous. Still wanna meet for lunch?"
The reply came a minute later. "Sure. How about Elephant and Castle?"
"Sounds great! I could go for fish and chips. See you around 12?"
"See you. Love you."
"Love you, too, babe."
Jake smiled. He loved having lunch with his wife. During the school year, it was nearly impossible to meet due to his class schedule. He smiled. He couldn't wait to see Stephanie. The next few hours were going to seem like an eternity.
Noon finally arrived. Jake bounded out of the conference room and headed out into the Washington, DC heat. He headed west down I Street, crossed Pennsylvania Avenue and 20th Street. The walk took him ten minutes. He entered Elephant and Castle, a British pub-themed restaurant. He saw Stephanie and went over to join her.
"I already ordered for us," Stephanie said. "I got you fish and chips and a lemonade."
"Perfect," Jake said. "What did you get?"
"Butter chicken and a diet coke," Stephanie said. "How are your meetings going?"
"Long and boring," Jake sighed. "This is what I get for being a professor. How's your day?"
"Not bad. Still poring over those budget proposals for the new schools in Mozambique."
"And?"
